Erica Cumbee, MPA

Erica Cumbee, MPA, is a transformation sensei at Virginia Mason Institute. Erica trains clients from all over the world to effectively practice lean tools and methods, develops operational leadership emphasizing the importance of acting and thinking in a lean framework, and embeds lean management methodology into health care cultures.

Prior to joining Virginia Mason Institute, Erica led operations at Virginia Mason Medical Center in patient financial and support services. She also has served as a lean specialist for the organization, where she developed strategic planning in alignment with executive leadership goals, performed evaluation and problem identification in value stream management, led improvement and innovation events, developed and taught lean curriculum, and coached leaders and staff through lean training and certification.

Erica is certified in the Virginia Mason Production System®, experience-based design (EBD), training within industry (TWI) and focus group leadership.